Kentucky’s RPI being hurt by strength of schedule

Taking a look at college basketball’s current RPI indicates that Kentucky, expected to hold its No. 1 ranking in both the AP and USA Today polls, is being hurt by its relatively weak schedule.

The Cats are just fifth in the RPI, behind Syracuse, Duke, Baylor and Michigan State. Yet at 21-1, the Cats have a better record than all of those teams, with the exception of Syracuse. And the Orange took its one loss just over a week ago, where Kentucky hasn’t lost since Dec. 10.

The difference is that Kentucky’s schedule is currently rated just the 81st toughest by the RPI. That ranks as the third-easiest among the top 20 schools as rated by the RPI, behind Missouri (117) and Creighton (81).